As a non-playable character

Calem is a young boy who lives in Vaniville Town when the protagonist moves into town. Calem is the main rival of the character, choosing the starter Pokémon which is super effective to the player's. He is also the character who teaches the player and Shauna how to catch a Pokémon, catching a Bunnelby with the use of his Fletchling. Soon after, he can be seen in Santalune Forest with the other friends.

Calem is the child of two prominent Pokémon battlers, and is seen as one of the two best battlers of the group of friends, alongside the protagonist.

The next time Calem battles the player is in front of the Coumarine Gym.

When the group of friends meets up and decides to go to the haunted area in Route 14, Calem is the only one of the friends to not go to the house, claiming that he has to train. He then helps the player defeat Team Flare at the Poké Ball Factory.

The next time Calem battles the player is in front of the Anistar Gym. After the player defeats the gym, he will ask for a rematch, but cancels his challenge after Lysandre announces his plan of eradicating all life forms not a part of Team Flare. He then helps the player defeat Team Flare get to the legendary Pokémon and defeat Team Flare for good.

"The renowned Professor Sycamore lives here in the Kalos region. I heard he has a task for five kids including us. But I'm surprised he knows who you are. You did just move here to Vaniville, after all."

"So get this, neighbor, Lysandre is the head of Lysandre Labs, which created the Holo Caster, a video-messaging device. You already know about Diantha, right? She is one of the most famous movie stars in the world, after all, I wonder what the two of them are doing here together."

"I'm Calem. It's a pleasure. This..."

"Hmm... I guess Pokémon Trainers all battle each other, no matter who they are. Oh, yeah. I wanted to ask you something, neighbor. How about you and I compete and see who ends up stronger? I know we set off on our journey just after you arrived in Vaniville, but we are neighbors, and having a competition with you sound like fun. I won't lose though. Just so you know."

"Everyone sure has a different approach to being a Trainer. Well, that was fun, but I guess we should head to Ambrette Town."

Ambrette Town

"Hey, neighbor!"

"This is Ambrette Town. You go through the aquarium to get to Cyllage City. But first, we should go to the Fossil Lab and have them tell us about Fossils. Maybe we'll learn something about those mysterious stones related to Mega Evolution."

"So, there are two members of Team Flare this time... Are you ready to battle alongside me, neighbor?

Yes: "I just fought with another one of these Team Flare guys."

No: "You have to prepare? Got it!"

"If you're just trying to make yourselves happy, I won't stop you. But when you threaten people, it's like who do you think you are, anyway?

"Is he there?"

"Was Team Flare here?"

"Never mind... Guess he was so absorbed with looking for Fossils he didn't notice."

"I'll take this one, then."

"So, we went looking for the assistant, and we found that suspicious group called Team Flare as well... Still, with those Team Flare people running around, it would be better to train more so I can travel safely. I guess the best thing to do to get tougher is challenge the Cyllage City Gym."

"Some Pokémon evolve through friendship, and others only evolve in certain places"

"Trust... In other words, the bond between Trainer and Pokémon!"

Before battle

"<player>, let's battle for it! No matter what the reason is, a battle is a good chance for us to compete and see who Vaniville Town's best Trainer really is!"

"How about it?

Yes: "I will master Mega Evolution and set myself apart from other Trainers. I'll also do it for my Pokémon--we've come so far together, and they never stopped believing in me, their Trainer. You and your Pokémon are stronger.. I can tell just by looking at you. But I'm not going to lose. The winner of this battle will be me!"

"If you use the HM Surf, you can travel over the water. I'll challenge you to a battle again sometime. That's the best way to get strong, after all. I was lucky enough to meet you and end up traveling together, so I'd better take advantage of the opportunity to battle."

"<player>, I challenge you to a battle in front of the Gym! You'd better be ready!"

Coumarine City

Before battle

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The reason I wanted to meet you is I want to see Mega Evolution in action. Whether you use it or not is up to you. But since I'm a Pokémon Trainer, I want to see things that make Pokémon special."

Being defeated

"Oof. I'd kind of forgotten how strong you are."

After being defeated

"Even though we set off from Vaniville Town at the same time, there's a gap in our strength. Do you have something I don't? I guess I have to think about that... Well, good luck with your Gym Battle."

"<player>. This time, I challenge you to a battle in front of Anistar City's Gym! You'd better be ready!

Anistar City

Before battle

"<player>! I can't keep losing to someone who started the journey at the same time as me! Let's battle!"

Being defeated

"Why am I still playing catch-up to you?!"

After battle

"My Pokémon are a lot stronger now, but you and your Pokémon are still just a little bit out of our reach... Here, I should heal your Pokémon."

"You're strong. I knew there would be lots of tough Trainers out in the world, but I wouldn't have guessed that my neighbor would turn out to be the one to beat! Well, just keep doing what you're doing and defeat that Gym Leader.

"I'm sure getting the Psychic Badge wasn't to hard for you to get, right <player>? Ready for a rematch? I think it would be fun to compete with my neighbor to be the best in Kalos. But i can't claim to be competing with you until I beat you at least once!"

"What's this"

"What... was Lysandre saying? Wiping the slate clean? Eliminating everyone but Team Flare?! <player>! Let's split up and look for Team Flare's base! Where could Lysandre be, though... We first met him in Lumiose City... Maybe he's there?"

"<player>, you're not in this alone! When I was in Lysandre's lab, the masked heroes told me what is going on. They also told me what Team Flare plans to do with the ultimate weapon! C'mon! Let's stop team Flare...No...We have to stop Lysandre himself! I... I want to protect my friends!

"So what? That doesn't give you the right to destroy everyone except the few that Team Flare chooses!"

"That's different! We did compete to see who got it, but..."

"What about Pokémon?"

"Why... are you crying?"

"It's not over until it's over! <player's nickname>! Let's go look for the Legendary Pokémon! Trainer are protected by Pokémon, but they protect Pokémon, too, right? Look! That's the entrance to the lower floors over there!" Let's hurry!"

"Not bad, Shauna! Well, Clemont was the one who made it. But you brought it here! So, I guess both of you are pretty great! We're finally here. The Legendary Pokémon is inside. Let's save it together!"

Legendary Pokémon Room

"So this is the place... It's really hard to breathe in here. Feels like there's a weight on my chest..."

"It's the Poké Ball Factory all over again... <Player>! You take care of things here! I'll protect Shauna!"

"I've been thinking ever since that incident in Geosenge. Lysandre chose only Team Flare. You and I chose everyone but Team Flare. But since our positions forced our hands, you can't really say any of us were right. So maybe... If both sides have something to say, it's best to meet halfway... SO I decided that from now on, I don't want to battle just to win but to see how you and your Pokémon think and feel! And that's the kind of Pokémon battle I'm challenging you to now!"

Being defeated

"It's hard to put a finger on where, but I think you and I are alike. And that's why I don't want to lose to you. But I think the reason we're alike is because we have so much in common. I'm really happy that we're friends."

After battle

"I'm renewing my rivalry with you! Since you're my rival, I hope you get stronger and stronger as a Pokémon Trainer. But we'll keep getting stronger and stronger, too! I can master the power that comes from the bond between me and my Pokémon, just like you did! Power right on through the Pokémon League! I know you can do it!"

"That's right. It's Absolite. I found two of them. After everything we said to Lysandre, it just wouldn't be right if I didn't share one with you. I have a message from Professor Sycamore. He says he may have unraveled part of the secret of the Mega Ring and the Mega Stones. He should be waiting by the sundial in Anistar City.

Before battle 2nd time and on

"Hey, <player's nickname>? Would you battle with us?

Yes: "My Pokémon and I will show you what make us special! En garde!"

No: "That's pretty cold."

Being defeated 2nd time and on

"I'll think about what you did well and use this loss to fuel my desire to improve."

After battle 2nd time and on

"When we first set off on our journey, I though it was really important how different I was from everyone else. But that doesn't really matter, does it? Of course I'm different from others. I'm the only me!"

In other games

Calem appears alongside Serena as a trophy in the 3DS version. They are both simply referred to as Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon X & Y). Calem's hat is also part of one of Pikachu's alternative costumes.

Trophy information

NA:We suppose it's possible you've missed out up till now, so let us explain: in Pokémon, you set out from your hometown on a Pokémon journey, catching Pokémon and fighting battles with them. In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you reach the next town and find yourself embroiled in a tale of... No, wait–no spoilers!

PAL:If you've been living under a rock for some years now, let us explain. In Pokémon, you start from your home town on your own Pokémon journey, catching Pokémon and fighting battles with them. In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you reach the next town and find yourself embroiled in a tale of... Well, we won't spoil it for you.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Calem's counterpart in Pokémon Adventures is X. When he was young he won a Kalos Junior Tournament. However, the pressure of being a celebrity at a young age had its effect on him and he became a shut-in.